In 1990, Phoenix resident saashley was diagnosed with clinical depression. Through the rest of that decade she was in and out of institutions "seven or eight times a year." Despite medication and psychiatric treatment, her condition worsened.

"For 12 years, I lived a painful and isolated life," she said.

In 2002, saashley's physician referred her to Art Awakenings, a program that uses art and creative expression as a tool in recovery for adults with serious mental illness.

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The former machinist and social worker, who had been sketching for several months as an antidote to depression, began to visit the program's studio in downtown Phoenix to sculpt, draw and paint. She also began creating African masks using river rocks and beads.

Six months later, saashley sold two tile mosaics through the Art Awakenings gallery for $1,200.

"It was an amazing compliment to me that someone would want to purchase my art," she said.

Camille Smith, director of Art Awakenings, hopes that saashley's experience will not be unique. In the past 2 1/2 years, the art program has helped many mentally challenged adults. Based in downtown Phoenix, Art Awakenings features a studio where therapeutic use of art, music, movement, poetry and creative writing techniques are offered. There is also a commercial gallery on site.

Smith, who refers to the program's artists as "clients" rather than "patients" said she and her 20 staff members work to develop the professional and business skills needed to market art successfully.

"We teach about creating resumes and portfolios, as well as marketing and exhibiting artwork," Smith said.

Artists who participate in the program feature their work in the monthly First Friday artwalk, a self-guided tour of downtown Phoenix art galleries and spaces. The Art Awakenings program also participates in the three-day Art Tour sale and viewing to be held the first week of March.

At the commercial gallery, items such as paintings, sculpture, jewelry, cards and calendars are on display.

Artists employed by a separate vocational program on-site also produce handcrafted gift items such as vases, wall plaques and glassware for retail sale.

Gallery sales for 2004 were about $5,000.

"It's not an enormous amount, but enough to show our clients that their work has value," Smith said.

Since its beginning in 2002, the Art Awakenings program has expanded to provide services for people living in supervisory care homes in the Valley, according to Smith.

"We do art and social recreational programming for people whose illnesses prevent them from getting out into the community."

Restaurants such as Panino on Central Avenue and the Paisley Violin in downtown Phoenix have exhibited artwork for sale, Smith said.

"We're always looking for places where our clients can exhibit."

Specialty retail boutiques, hospitals, clinics and art galleries are all good choices, she added.

The success of the art therapy program has led to a second location. In October, an Art Awakenings gallery, studio and showroom opened in the Casa Grande Mall. According to Smith, programs on tap include art therapy for adolescents living in group homes as well as therapeutic art groups for children and families.

The $1 million yearly budget for the Art Awakenings program in the Valley is funded from regional behavioral health authority Value Options through the Presbyterian Service Agency. The Casa Grande facility is funded by the Pinal County Behavioral Health Association.

Today, saashley is still on disability, but she plans to become self-supporting as an artist.

"I'm learning the business of art. I would like to concentrate on mosaics and write a book on the techniques I've learned. I'd also like to teach art."

Art Awakenings

1014 N. Second St., Phoenix

(602) 340-1675

Art Awakenings

1226 E. Florence Blvd., Casa Grande

Inside Casa Grande Mall

1-(520)-423-0707

http://www.artawakenings.org/